DHAKA : Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today inaugurated the World Environment Day and Environment Fair 2026 and the National Tree Plantation Campaign and Tree Fair 2026 at Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center here.

With the theme: "Let's Beautify the Country Through Tree Plantation, Bangladesh Comes First", the ceremony began with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by readings from other religious scriptures. 

A documentary highlighting the current government's achievements in environmental protection, forestry, and climate change was then screened.

At the event, the Prime Minister presented the National Environment Award 2025, the National Wildlife Conservation Award 2026, and the National Tree Plantation Award 2025. 

He also distributed dividend cheques to beneficiaries of the social forestry programme.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo chaired the event while Prime Minister's Special Assistant on Environment, Forest and Climate Affairs Dr. Md. Saimum Parvez, and State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shaikh Faridul Islam spoke as the special guests.

Following the ceremony, the Prime Minister planted saplings of olive, jarul, and neem trees on the premises of the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center. He later visited various stalls at the Tree Fair held at the old Trade Fair Ground.

The fair has been organized to encourage greater public participation in environmental conservation, forest expansion, and efforts to address the impacts of climate change.

In addition to the month-long National Tree Fair and Environment Fair in the capital, 15-day tree fairs are being held in seven divisional cities, seven-day fairs in 56 district headquarters, and three-day fairs in 29 upazilas. A total of 120 stalls are participating in the National Tree Fair in Dhaka.

To implement the government's master plan of planting 25 crore saplings over the next five years to maintain ecological balance, a special cell has been established under the Prime Minister's Office. 

Under the programme, GIS, remote sensing, a National Tree Database, and drone technology will be used to digitally monitor afforestation activities. The initiative is expected to create approximately 350,000 new green jobs and develop 10,000 new nursery entrepreneurs.

Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman transformed tree plantation into a national movement in Bangladesh. Under his initiative, the country's first National Forest Policy was formulated in 1979.

Later, in 1994, then Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia launched the National Tree Fair and played a significant role in expanding social forestry. The present government is continuing that legacy by developing a technology-driven and sustainable forest management system.

Earlier, on June 13, Tarique Rahman formally launched the nationwide programme to plant 25 crore trees in five years by planting a sapling of a Garjan tree in the Malumghat Reserved Forest in Chakaria, Cox's Bazar.